Here are 107 new stories in the PA Environment Digest about individuals, groups, local governments, farmers, businesses, watershed groups and many more working all across Pennsylvania to restore and protect the environment and show others the beauty that surrounds us.

PA Environment Digest Puts Links To The Best Environment & Energy Articles and NewsClips From Last Week Here By Topic--

On July 22, The Northeast Environmental Partners announced the recipients of the 34th Annual Environmental Partnership Awards.

The Shade Creek Watershed Association will celebrate its 25th Anniversary on September 21 with an open house at its offices at 1221 No. 1 Road in Cairnbrook, Somerset County from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.

The PA Association of Environmental Professionals is now accepting nominations for the Karl Mason and Walter Lyon Awards to commemorate the vision of both remarkable pioneers.  The deadline for nominations is August 19.

By David Hess, Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection at the Time of the Rescue

The Seneca Resources Company, LLC reported to DEP that at 4:00 p.m. on July 3, 2022 a plastic pipeline ruptured and spilled an estimated 18,000   gallons of shale gas drilling wastewater in Shippen Township, Cameron County.

On August 21, Penn State Extension will host a webinar on Water Testing Through Penn State's Ag Analytical Lab from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

On August 22, Penn State Extension will host a Private Water Supply Education And Water Testing webinar from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

On April 12, 2024, the Shell Petrochemical Plant requested the Department of Environmental Protection to classify the composition and flow rate of gases going to be burned off at flares and the air pollution sources and pollution control equipment operating at the Beaver County facility confidential business information.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the July 27 PA Bulletin that it is requiring any facility operating under a temporary Title V Air Quality Plan Approval for more than 12 months to submit an application for a Title V Air Quality permit on or before November 25, 2024.

From July 20 to 26, DEP’s Oil and Gas Compliance Database shows oil and gas inspectors filed 436  inspection entries and caught up posting previous inspection reports.

The following notices were published in the July 27 PA Bulletin related to oil and gas industry facilities.  Many of the notices offer the opportunity for public comments.

The Susquehanna River Basin Commission published notice in the July 27 PA Bulletin the Executive Director gave his approval to or renewed 22 general water use permits in June for individual shale gas well drilling pads in Bradford, Susquehanna and Tioga counties.

On July 22, Gov. Josh Shapiro joined U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael S. Regan, Department of Environmental Protection Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley, President of the Allegheny-Fayette Labor Council Darrin Kelly and local elected leaders to celebrate the Shapiro Administration securing nearly $400 million to fund efforts to help Pennsylvania companies lower climate emissions while creating good-paying jobs and supporting Pennsylvania’s economy.

On July 25, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced $13.9 million in funding coming to Pennsylvania to help disadvantaged communities tackle environmental and climate justice challenges through projects that reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity.

The House Environmental Resources and Energy Committee will hold its second hearing July 29 on House Bill 2277 (Otten-D-Chester), the PA Reliable Energy Sustainability Standard (PRESS) is the Governor’s Energy Plan that would diversify energy generation, improve grid reliability, lower consumer costs by avoiding energy price spikes and create energy-related jobs.

On July 22, Gov. Josh Shapiro announced last week he signed  House Bill 1032 (Fiedler-D- Philadelphia) and Senate Bill 831 (Yaw-R-Lycoming) into law, establishing the Solar for Schools program and creating a regulatory framework for carbon capture, utilization, and geologic sequestration (CCUS) in the Commonwealth.

On July 23, the Pittsburgh-based Green Building Alliance announced it will launch its newest program, Resilient Communities, in Meadville and Reading to provide both communities with a range of services to help reduce energy demand, cut utility costs, and increase energy efficiency and resiliency for the municipal buildings, commercial facilities, and nonprofit and educational institutions within each region.

On July 22, the Pittsburgh-based Green Building Alliance announced US Sen. John Fetterman said he will officially seek support for the expansion of GBA’s Resilient Small Businesses Expansion Project programming to Erie, New Kensington, and Westmoreland County through a $250,000 Congressionally Directed Spending Grant (CDS). 

By Jeff Mulhollem, Penn State News

The State Conservation Commission will start accepting first-come, first-serve applications for the Resource Enhancement and Protection Farm Conservation Tax Credit Program August 1 through September 1.

The Coalition For The Delaware River Watershed is now accepting registrations for the 12th Annual Delaware River Watershed Forum to be held September 26-27 in Bethlehem, PA

The Watershed Alliance of York and many partners will host the 22nd Annual Watershed Week September 21 to 27.

On July 22, for the first time, the Chester Water Authority in Delaware County announced it is providing five students and one recent graduate from Thaddeus Stevens College Of Technology and Williams College of the Trades with internship experiences.

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the July 27 PA Bulletin announcing an August 28 hearing on the NPDES Water Quality permit application for the 1,452 acre expansion of the underground LCT Energy Rustic Ridge Ridge #1 Metallurgical Coal Mine in Donegal Township, Westmoreland County and Saltlick Township, Fayette County.  (PA Bulletin, page 4401- 4402)

The Department of Environmental Protection published notice in the July 27 PA Bulletin announcing an August 29 hearing on an Individual NPDES Stormwater permit for the Blue Ridge Real Estate’s proposed 46+ acre truck terminal and warehouse in Kidder Township, Carbon County.  (PA Bulletin, page 4401)

The Delaware River Basin Commission will hold a hearing on water withdrawals and discharges on August 7 and a business meeting on September 5.

The latest Guardian newsletter from the Susquehanna River Basin Commission includes articles on--

On July 23, the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority announced it will be accepting applications for recycling mini-grants from Centre County municipalities, businesses, recycling collection haulers, schools, healthcare institutions and non-profits.

On July 25, Natural Lands announced the permanent preservation of a 252-acre forested property in Penn Forest Township, Carbon County.

In June 2024, Berks Nature established a new conservation easement with the Fleetwood Borough to protect 190 acres of woodlands, adding yet another valuable safeguard to the Oley Hills’ pristine waterways and the local community’s drinking water.

In May 2024, Berks Nature permanently protected 139.59 acres of forest with its accompanying streams and seasonal springs in Bethel Township, Berks County.

On a sunny morning at her home in Pennsylvania Furnace, Diane Albright looks out her living room window.

On July 26, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced the designation of a new Wild Plant Sanctuary on private property in York County.

DCNR will host a November 7 virtual grants workshop to help applicants develop project ideas in preparation for submitting a grant application to the 2025 Community Conservation Partnerships Program (C2P2).

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources begins accepting applications for ATV or Snowmobile Projects and Programs Grants on August 1.  The deadline to apply is September 30.  (formal notice)

The latest DCNR Grants newsletter includes invitations to attend the August 14 Trails Advisory Committee public forum in Mercer County and to fill out a survey to provide input on the next Pennsylvania Land/Water Trail Network Strategic Plan

The Susquehanna Greenway Partnership and more than 50 vendors will host the 3rd Annual Susquehanna Greenway Expo at Shikellamy State Park Marina in Sunbury, Northumberland County on August 3 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

By Connor Duncan, DCNR Forestry Intern

Tens of millions of Americans are expected to hit the highways this summer for road trips, often to state or national parks.

A ten-part online Pennsylvania Forest Seminar Series hosted by Penn State Extension will begin its 17th season on September 10 with a program on using geographic information systems to track forest management at Noon and 7:00 p.m.

Opportunities to learn more about environmental and energy issues affecting Pennsylvania for students and adults--

DCNR State Parks Environmental Education July newsletter is hot off the press with ways to celebrate Park and Recreation Month, Professional Workshops, Chesapeake Bay Environmental Literacy Survey and much more.

The Western PA Conservancy will host a July 31 webinar on School Grounds Greening - Helping Children Learn In And From Nature starting at Noon.

The information you need to follow legislation in the House and Senate- starting with articles and NewsClips from last week--

Articles and NewsClips about federal actions impacting Pennsylvania--

Click Here for a list of public participation opportunities and a calendar of events.

Click Here for grants, awards, recognition programs and contest deadlines.

Highlights of the environmental and energy notices in the July 27 PA Bulletin--

Send your stories, photos and links to videos about your project, environmental issues or programs for publication in the PA Environment Digest to: PaEnviroDigest@gmail.com.

PA Environment Digest is a supporting member of the PA Organization for Watersheds & Rivers, PA Outdoor Writers Association, PA Council Trout Unlimited and the Doc Fritchey Chapter Trout Unlimited.